Stop Letting Disdain for the Pohlads Ruin Your Enjoyment of Good Baseball

[Nick Nelson]

Image courtesy of © Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images

When you spend enough time writing and talking about the Minnesota Twins online, you're bound to see the sentiment shared frequently. Maybe you’ve said it yourself. It usually pops up in response to something positive — like a post noting rising Target Field attendance, or a shot of fans enjoying a sun-soaked weekend at the ballpark.

“Glad people are showing up… too bad it just helps the Pohlads.”

“I’m not giving a dime to ownership until they sell.”

Let’s be clear: this is a valid, understandable feeling. Over the years, the ownership group has given fans plenty of reasons to be skeptical, disappointed, or downright angry. The postseason losing streak. The muddled messaging. The business-first attitude. The perceived unwillingness to spend or pivot when the moment called for it. For a loyal fan base that has long craved a more ambitious and accountable leadership model, the frustrations with the Pohlads are earned.

But let’s also be honest: that angst is starting to feel a little stale. And more to the point, it’s getting in the way of something truly worthwhile.

This is a good baseball team. A fun one! A resilient, exciting, high-ceiling group that’s been among the best in baseball over the last month. The pitching staff is elite. The lineup features star-caliber talent and youth with upside. They’re not limping through the Central — the Twins are contending with conviction.

And while it might not fit the “cheap owners” narrative, this is a roster the Pohlads did invest in. They handed out major extensions to Byron Buxton and Pablo López. They made a massive swing by signing Carlos Correa — twice. The team’s payroll is firmly mid-pack, ahead of most division rivals, and a far cry from the shoestring operations run in places like Tampa Bay or Cleveland. 

Yes, ownership has made mistakes. Yes, there’s reason to want change. And, encouragingly, it seems change is already in motion. The team is known to be for sale. The Pohlads appear to be on their way out. That alone should ease some of the tension.

But here's the ironic part: if you want new ownership, if you want this team to be a more attractive asset with greater upside for an ambitious buyer ... you should want to see Target Field full. You should want to see fans engaged, energy high, and the market proving its value. Empty seats don’t hurt the Pohlads. They just weaken the franchise.

I'm not telling anyone how to feel. But maybe — just maybe — it’s time to let go of the grudge long enough to enjoy what’s happening on the field. The vibes at Target Field this past weekend were electric: beautiful weather, meaningful games, and a team that’s battling hard and clutching up. It felt like summer in Minnesota in all the best ways.

If you’re missing that because of who owns the team right now, you’re not punishing anyone but yourself.

Don't let lingering bitterness keep you from experiencing great baseball when it's right in front of you. This team is worth your time. These players deserve your support. And you, as a fan, deserve the joy.

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[Mark G]

Well, Nick, you may be right.  If I am waiting for this team to be sold, I may be waiting a long time.  I read an article in one of the national rags just last night that was saying at least 3 potential buyers were walking away due to the price, the debt, the lack of attendance, and the potential for a lockout after the CBA expires.  We may have this owner for a while it seems, so what we see is what we are going to get; at least for the near future.  So maybe we should just enjoy the game of baseball; forget everything else.

[terrydactyls]

3 minutes ago, Mark G said:

Well, Nick, you may be right.  If I am waiting for this team to be sold, I may be waiting a long time.  I read an article in one of the national rags just last night that was saying at least 3 potential buyers were walking away due to the price, the debt, the lack of attendance, and the potential for a lockout after the CBA expires.  We may have this owner for a while it seems, so what we see is what we are going to get; at least for the near future.  So maybe we should just enjoy the game of baseball; forget everything else.

I agree with the "national rag" about attendance.  More butts in the seats may "help" the Pohlads right now, but it may also help get new ownership.  If the Twin Cities turnout looks like Tampa Bay, potential owners are losing interest.  People on TD have complained (and rightly so) about boring baseball for a while.  Now there is exciting baseball to be seen and it's time to show potential owners that attendance is not a worry.

[chinmusic]

I've had a nagging thought for a while.

Suppose the Twins have roughly the same positioning at the trade deadline as they do now. That is, a wild card spot.  So, one might think, given the ownership situation, they might not add on.

But given that same situation, is it possible they'd be sellers. Obviously, something I'd prefer not to contemplate, but there it is.

To be clear, I'm not being an alarmist. Just wonder if that possibility has occurred to others.

[dxpavelka]

Well sure, but dammit, Shohei Ohtani is a Dodger.

[NYCTK]

10 minutes ago, terrydactyls said:

I agree with the "national rag" about attendance.  More butts in the seats may "help" the Pohlads right now, but it may also help get new ownership.  If the Twin Cities turnout looks like Tampa Bay, potential owners are losing interest.  People on TD have complained (and rightly so) about boring baseball for a while.  Now there is exciting baseball to be seen and it's time to show potential owners that attendance is not a worry.

No chance this year's attendance has any effect on a sale price at all. Would be a terrible investor to over weight the only season on record where the current owner had publicly announced they're selling the team. 

[MileHighTwinsFan]

Thank you for this!  I like our team and it has the talent to win.  I  have never understood Pohlad haters. We could be the Baltimore Orioles who are wasting a great young lineup because they didn’t invest in pitching this last off season.

[terrydactyls]

28 minutes ago, NYCTK said:

No chance this year's attendance has any effect on a sale price at all. Would be a terrible investor to over weight the only season on record where the current owner had publicly announced they're selling the team. 

I don't care if the potential buyer is over weight.

[tony&rodney]

Nick, this article may be helpful for some. Personally. I  attend or watch a game for the pitching, offense, defense, and base-running; the players/ the game. Neither ownership nor front office management enters my mind in a game. The presence of an MLB team does not drive out small businesses in the manner of a Walmart. MLB (and other sports) teams do push communities to pay for their stadiums, which populations seemingly vote for. The U.S. has nearly always had a rather strange form of extreme welfare for big businesses and then paid their politicians to scream socialism and communism at any attempts to mollify the suffering of the poor or downtrodden.

The Twins do have a decent team and their pitching is quite good this year. Where I might have some disagreement concerns the pattern of play and the preferred style of roster. The Twins are the slowest team in baseball, but I must acknowledge the two players who are new this year, Bader and Keirsey Jr., that have some speed. The Twins are also one of the weakest fielding teams. I enjoy watching the Twins but am still hoping Baldelli will try a hit and run or a bunt on occasion. These are seldom used, so I guess the team is outperforming its talent which is a good thing. Hopefully Buxton and Wallner will return healthy and productive, Correa will raise his level of output on offense on a consistent basis, and Lewis manages to do ..... something/anything. The Twins could be a playoff team.

[Rod Carews Birthday]

54 minutes ago, NYCTK said:

No chance this year's attendance has any effect on a sale price at all. Would be a terrible investor to over weight the only season on record where the current owner had publicly announced they're selling the team. 

While that may be mostly true, an overall narrative about a “poor drawing” team definitely doesn’t help the situation.  Sometimes a narrative like that takes on a life of its own.  

[Peter]

Agreed!!! It’s become soooo toxic on Facebook saying sell the team/fire Rocco- F people saying this!!! We have a great team playing fantastic baseball-once at full strength look out!!! Much much much better then vikings/twolves!!!! Twins are best team in state followed by wild!

[Rod Carews Birthday]

26 minutes ago, tony&rodney said:

Personally. I  attend or watch a game for the pitching, offense, defense, and base-running; the players/ the game. Neither ownership nor front office management enters my mind in a game. 

Agreed.  If you’re watching or not watching either because of or in spite of the owners, you’re probably missing the point of baseball entirely.  This team has woken up and is playing well and deserves our collective attention.  Go Twins!

[Blyleven2011]

My disdain will waver when pigs fly ...

Good baseball or not , I'm sorry , until the end of June we just don't know if they are contenders , they have to show more consistency  ...

[DJL44]

I don't think "fans" like that even enjoy baseball anyway. I'd rather not have them at the games. They'll turn every run scored by the other team or error by a Twins player into a situation where they boo and act like jackasses to draw attention to themselves.

[Doctor Gast]

We have a pretty good team that's capable of performing well. When the team wasn't doing well, many fans were yelling, "Fire Sale, trade away the whole core!" The problem has never been the core. I wish  Target Field is packed every home game. But I have to admit that because of how they are managed starting from the top, I have lost some interest. The Pohlads are stupid; that shouldn't be the reason to boycott them.

[Western SD Fan]

I can root for the team and their success.  I can be mad at the Pohlads for mismanaging a team for decades.  I purchased MLB.TV so yes, I'm putting money in the Pohlads' pockets, and I don't care.  I'm a fan of the team and I'm going to enjoy that to the best of my ability.  In terms of spending, they have already exceeded expectations by not forcing a trade of players like Castro to stay under what was the off-season reported payroll cap.  I'm sure the leaked reports about potential local buyers walking away due to the price is a negotiating tactic, much like the Ishbia's seemed to be this past off-season.  Just for closure, I would like a sale to be sooner rather than later.

[IndianaTwin]

1 hour ago, Peter said:

Agreed!!! It’s become soooo toxic on Facebook saying sell the team/fire Rocco- F people saying this!!! We have a great team playing fantastic baseball-once at full strength look out!!! Much much much better then vikings/twolves!!!! Twins are best team in state followed by wild!

I hear the Lynx are pretty good. 

[bean5302]

I do not hate the Pohlads or have disdain for them. I hate the way the team has been run, especially in recent seasons, and that's the responsibility of the Pohlad family. The most recent information in the media suggests the Pohlads aren't being reasonable in their selling price which further irritates me. Trying to roll the Pohald Family business debt into the Twins while simultaneously asking for top dollar just isn't realistic.

All that said, it's not like I wish them any ill will personally. I'd like them to get rid of the team and sell it to new ownership who might manage the business better.

[LA Vikes Fan]

Well said, nick. This is a fun team to watch. We should all enjoy that while we can since that isn't always true for any team.  The idea that we should boycott the team to "send a message" to the Pohlads may be well intentioned, but is unlikely to be meaningful and will more likely hurt than help if the goal is to get the team sold or convince current ownership to invest at the deadline. 

BTW, I agree with the former poster who said that publicity about potential ownership groups "walking away" is likely negotiating tactics. From a distance with no inside information, it looks like the sticking point is the Pohlads need/desire to get $1.7B plus for a franchise worth more like $1.4-$1.5B. In that context published reports that potential ownership groups are walking away are a good way to exert pressure for current ownership to lower the price for a sale. The current budget bill that changes the tax rules for pro franchise ownership by cutting the expense deduction in half will also act as a drag on price to the extent it stays in the final bill. But as they say in real estate, it only takes one willing to pay the price to make the sale. 

 

[Whitey333]

Well it is amazing what a great 20 game streak of 16-4 will do.  Don't forget they were 7-13 in their first 20 games and played lousy.  I think they are right in the middle between those stretches.  They are above average at this point not great.  I am actually surprised the Pohlads haven't dumped some payroll since the attendance is down and TV reven̈ues are a disaster.  I think there spending is more than adequate.  Go Twins.

[bean5302]

11 minutes ago, LA VIkes Fan said:

...BTW, I agree with the former poster who said that publicity about potential ownership groups "walking away" is likely negotiating tactics. From a distance with no inside information, it looks like the sticking point is the Pohlads need/desire to get $1.7B plus for a franchise worth more like $1.4-$1.5B...

The Ishbia's did walk away, then bought a greater share in the White Sox, which is not a negotiation tactic. Not sure what soured the Ishbia's so hard towards the end of negotiations, but it's pretty clear the Pohlads botched it. It sounds like the Pohlads want to roll their debt into the sale and bury it. They've moved down to $1.5B, but even then, rolling $400MM of negative equity into the sale puts the actual price at more like $1.9B.

https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/minnesota-twins/rumors-team-sale-update-potential-buyers-losing-interest/

https://www.si.com/mlb/twins/minnesota-twins-rumors/report-potential-minnesota-twins-buyers-being-turned-off-by-price

[NYCTK]

20 minutes ago, bean5302 said:

I do not hate the Pohlads or have disdain for them. I hate the way the team has been run, especially in recent seasons, and that's the responsibility of the Pohlad family. The most recent information in the media suggests the Pohlads aren't being reasonable in their selling price which further irritates me. Trying to roll the Pohald Family business debt into the Twins while simultaneously asking for top dollar just isn't realistic.

All that said, it's not like I wish them any ill will personally. I'd like them to get rid of the team and sell it to new ownership who might manage the business better.

Yeah, the patriarch was a pretty bad guy, as you'd expect from a ruthless banking empire tycoon. But his family aren't really bad guys. They're just failsons. Except Bill. He's cool and way more successful than the rest of the family. 

Tree of Life really is incredible. 

Good job Bill. 

[WalksWillHaunt]

Obviously no one is required to go to a Twins game, but it does feel like the ownership situation is the excuse du jour. Same as downtown crime, traffic and concession prices before it.

THAT SAID: I went to my first game at Target Field for the season (I live out of state) on Sunday and the experience wasn't great. They clearly weren't prepared to host 32,000 people — which is the average for 12 teams. Many concessions in the upper level were closed, and the ones that were open were woefully understaffed. I waited 20+ minutes (after ordering) for a brat. I was in Milwaukee the Sunday before and it pains me to say their in-stadium experience was much better.

[Sjoski]

The Pohlad family has created a public relations nightmare — and it’s entirely self-inflicted. For years, they've relied on the loyalty of the fanbase while doing the bare minimum to earn it. Now, it feels like they're expecting fans to keep showing up purely for the love of the game, regardless of how the franchise is run.

 Supporting a team is more than just loving baseball — it’s about believing in the leadership behind it. I don't blame anyone for refusing to support the Twins as long as the Pohlad's are in charge. 

[chpettit19]

I can enjoy this team without giving the Pohlads any of my money (or at least very little, indirectly). It doesn't have to be one or the other. I don't have to go to Target Field to enjoy the team. I am enjoying the team without paying the Pohlads a dime. It's a lovely situation for me. I know it's not possible for everyone, but it is for me so that's how I'm doing things. I'm able to stream the team without paying for it and I had no problem canceling my season tickets and not attending games in person. I can enjoy the team from my local drinking establishment, a boat, the softball fields, walking my dog, or my couch just fine. 

I don't think anybody needs to fan the way anybody else fans. Go to games if you want to go to games. Pay for Twins.tv if you want to pay for Twins.tv. Listen on the radio if you want to listen on the radio. Don't watch or listen to a single pitch if you don't want to watch or listen to a single pitch. The Twins make decisions and we get to make our own decisions. They made a business decision after 2023 and I've made mine. They right-sized and I've right-sized. I couldn't care less what anyone else thinks about how I choose to spend my money or not spend my money. How I choose to be a fan is my business. I'm not hurting anyone and I'm enjoying the team plenty. I don't need to enjoy the team in the same fashion anyone else enjoys the team. I don't need to buy a jersey or go to games just like some people don't enjoy reading articles online and discussing the team on forums. We do and it's why we're all on TD doing it. Some of us enjoy talking about the decisions ownership makes. Some of us enjoy talking about the decisions the front office makes. Or Rocco makes. Or other teams make. Or swing mechanics. Or base running. Or fielding. Or any number of things. Be a fan however you want to be a fan and let everyone else be a fan how they want to be a fan. It's nobody's business how I enjoy the Twins. I'll fan how I want to fan.

It's not my job to help them sell the team. And if they never sell it it's not my responsibility to ever pay them a dime to own the team. They'll get a little of my money next season (if they still own the team) when I go to all 30 parks in a season. It's a trip I've wanted to do for a while and my thoughts or feelings on the Pohlads won't stop me from doing that. But I don't need to go to Target Field more than that to enjoy the Twins. If they end up owning the team for the foreseeable future and earn my business back I'll return to Target Field more frequently. I'll get season tickets again. A month of winning games after a month of losing games doesn't a "contender" make. (I don't know what "contending with conviction" means, but they weren't even limping through the central for the first month of the season). An offseason of not slashing payroll, but also not adding any real talent doesn't make up for an offseason of slashing payroll after winning your first playoff series in 2 decades. They've made their choices. They've run their business poorly and they're paying for it. It's not my job to bail them out. But they have a fair chance to earn my business back. They haven't done it yet. But I can still enjoy the team by watching the games on my TV, computer, or phone. I don't have to be at Target Field to do that. You're welcome to enjoy them that way, though, if it's how you choose to enjoy them.

[Craig Arko]

2 minutes ago, chpettit19 said:

I can enjoy this team without giving the Pohlads any of my money (or at least very little, indirectly). It doesn't have to be one or the other. I don't have to go to Target Field to enjoy the team. I am enjoying the team without paying the Pohlads a dime. It's a lovely situation for me. I know it's not possible for everyone, but it is for me so that's how I'm doing things. I'm able to stream the team without paying for it and I had no problem canceling my season tickets and not attending games in person. I can enjoy the team from my local drinking establishment, a boat, the softball fields, walking my dog, or my couch just fine. 

I don't think anybody needs to fan the way anybody else fans. Go to games if you want to go to games. Pay for Twins.tv if you want to pay for Twins.tv. Listen on the radio if you want to listen on the radio. Don't watch or listen to a single pitch if you don't want to watch or listen to a single pitch. The Twins make decisions and we get to make our own decisions. They made a business decision after 2023 and I've made mine. They right-sized and I've right-sized. I couldn't care less what anyone else thinks about how I choose to spend my money or not spend my money. How I choose to be a fan is my business. I'm not hurting anyone and I'm enjoying the team plenty. I don't need to enjoy the team in the same fashion anyone else enjoys the team. I don't need to buy a jersey or go to games just like some people don't enjoy reading articles online and discussing the team on forums. We do and it's why we're all on TD doing it. Some of us enjoy talking about the decisions ownership makes. Some of us enjoy talking about the decisions the front office makes. Or Rocco makes. Or other teams make. Or swing mechanics. Or base running. Or fielding. Or any number of things. Be a fan however you want to be a fan and let everyone else be a fan how they want to be a fan. It's nobody's business how I enjoy the Twins. I'll fan how I want to fan.

It's not my job to help them sell the team. And if they never sell it it's not my responsibility to ever pay them a dime to own the team. They'll get a little of my money next season (if they still own the team) when I go to all 30 parks in a season. It's a trip I've wanted to do for a while and my thoughts or feelings on the Pohlads won't stop me from doing that. But I don't need to go to Target Field more than that to enjoy the Twins. If they end up owning the team for the foreseeable future and earn my business back I'll return to Target Field more frequently. I'll get season tickets again. A month of winning games after a month of losing games doesn't a "contender" make. (I don't know what "contending with conviction" means, but they weren't even limping through the central for the first month of the season). An offseason of not slashing payroll, but also not adding any real talent doesn't make up for an offseason of slashing payroll after winning your first playoff series in 2 decades. They've made their choices. They've run their business poorly and they're paying for it. It's not my job to bail them out. But they have a fair chance to earn my business back. They haven't done it yet. But I can still enjoy the team by watching the games on my TV, computer, or phone. I don't have to be at Target Field to do that. You're welcome to enjoy them that way, though, if it's how you choose to enjoy them.

Gee, thanks.

[TopGunn#22]

I bought the MLB package and watch every game, pretty much from start to finish.  I'm typing this while wearing a new Twins cap (Traditional Navy Blue with TC logo) and a half zip Twins warmup top.  

I'm no fan of the Pohlad's and haven't been since around 2010 or so.  Still, I love baseball.  I won't let the Pohlad's get in the way of that.  I'll be heading up to see a game when the Rangers roll into town, and probably see several more before the end of the season.  

It IS frustrating as far as the sale of the team goes however.  The Pohlad's insistence on rolling $400+ million dollars of debt into the sale is really discouraging any genuine interest in buyers, especially with a lockout looming in the future.  

And that has a direct effect on what the Pohlad's will allow the current front office to do at the trade deadline.  Twins SP as well as their BP should keep the team pretty competitive.  Getting Correa and Buxton back in the lineup along with Wallner and Keaschall (and if Royce Lewis ever hits like he's capable of) would be plenty of offense to add, so maybe a deadline trade isn't needed, but you'd like to feel that a deal "could" be made if the team needed it.

However, what ultimately soured me on the Pohlad's was their inability to make deals 2004-2010 when they had 2 MVP's, a 2-time Cy Young Award winner and the greatest closer in the history of the franchise on the roster (as well as the 2nd best CF the Twins have ever had) and NOTHING was ever done to better prepare the roster for the playoffs.

I probably shouldn't be holding my breath for anything this time either.  

[chpettit19]

1 minute ago, Craig Arko said:

Gee, thanks.

You're welcome.

[Vanimal46]

I still enjoy going to a couple games at Target Field and will continue to do that. My passion as a fan of the Twins has declined over the last couple of seasons - mostly due to decisions the Pohlads have made. 

Now that I was conditioned to enjoy my summer without the Twins on TV last year, my habits will continue on. I’ll watch when it’s convenient. If I miss a couple weeks of games so be it. That’s the beauty of this website. I can stay up to date on everything without dedicating time watching them on TV, or attending games at Target Field. 

[LA Vikes Fan]

1 hour ago, bean5302 said:

The Ishbia's did walk away, then bought a greater share in the White Sox, which is not a negotiation tactic. Not sure what soured the Ishbia's so hard towards the end of negotiations, but it's pretty clear the Pohlads botched it. It sounds like the Pohlads want to roll their debt into the sale and bury it. They've moved down to $1.5B, but even then, rolling $400MM of negative equity into the sale puts the actual price at more like $1.9B.

https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/minnesota-twins/rumors-team-sale-update-potential-buyers-losing-interest/

https://www.si.com/mlb/twins/minnesota-twins-rumors/report-potential-minnesota-twins-buyers-being-turned-off-by-price

Thanks for sending this. I had not seen that article. Everything in the article makes sense, particularly the idea that the Twins are running at a cash flow negative given the substantial loss of TV revenues. It does make for a much tougher sale when you asking a buyer to pay substantially for a business running at a $25 million annual cash on cash loss. It takes a significant future increase in franchise value for that to make sense. And that's before you consider that there is $400 million debt secured by the business (I think I am remembering the number correctly but I might be wrong). Now I would assume the debt would be paid by current ownership out of the proceeds of sale. If current ownership is expecting the buyer to assume responsibility for that debt, this becomes even tougher. Finally, you have to add in the effect of the provision in the current budget bill which cuts the deduction for team expenses in half so you can't team to shield other income as easily. The Pohlads may have waited about two years to more to put the team on the market. We may be waiting a long time for this team to get sold.